EP3355688B1 - Milking installation and associated operating method - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a milking installation for milking animals, such as cows, goats, sheep, horses or donkeys, with milking equipment and teat rubbers used in the milking equipment, and an associated operating method.

STATE OF THE ART

A milking system or a milking machine are systems or machines used in an agricultural enterprise for milking farm animals, in particular cows, in order to obtain milk from an udder. Depending on the type of barn, there are permanently installed milking systems with milking parlors or milking robots or portable milking machines, which can be transported on two or four wheels, for example, and which are used for milking one or more animals.

A generic milking installation or milking machine has one, in particular several milking harnesses, which as a rule comprise two or four teat cups which accommodate the teats of the animal to be milked. Milk hoses are connected to the teat cups, which lead to a milk collecting device of the milking cluster, and there lead the milk to a milk collecting container via a central milk hose.

Each teat cup has a cylindrical hollow body, usually made of stainless steel or plastic, the upper end of which is open and at the lower end of which a connection point for a milk hose and optionally for a pulsator line is arranged. A teat rubber is inserted inside the teat cup, which slips over the upper opening of the teat cup and which receives the teat to be milked. The pulsator line can create a negative pressure in the space between the teat cup and the teat rubber, so that the teat is massaged by a vibration of the teat rubber and thereby the Milk delivery can be stimulated. A pulsating negative pressure stimulates milk delivery. Teat rubbers can usually be made of rubber or silicone.

From the prior art, for example, from EP 477 950 A1 a teat rubber is known, which can be accommodated in a teat cup, and has a particularly robust connection and long durability.

In the modern dairy industry, the trend is that milk that has previously been treated with temperature or chemical means to kill germs, or that has been treated with UV light for sterilization purposes, remains natural as organic milk without such post-treatment steps as so-called organic milk brought. Here, hygiene plays an important role in the shelf life of the raw milk product, since penetrating germs can shorten the shelf life and damage the quality of the end product.

With the current state of the art, microbe and germ-contaminated air is sucked out of the barn by attaching the teat cups and removing the milking equipment and contaminating the aseptic raw milk flowing from the udder. In a normal barn air there are dust particles of various sizes, yeast and mold as well as various virus and bacterial germs, which significantly reduce the shelf life of the raw milk.

Measures are known in the prior art to reduce contamination and contamination of raw milk by dust and organic foreign matter present in the air in the house. For example, from the DE 10 2004 019 728 A1 a milking cluster is known which has an air inlet control in which a ring filter is provided, through which air can flow into the teat cup and which flows through the ring filter. However, when such a teat cup is removed, stall air is not prevented from entering the upper opening and pathogens and dust particles thus remain in the teat cup when the teat is inserted and contaminate the raw milk.

Furthermore, from the DE 101 60 161 A1 a milking cluster and a milking method are known in which cleaning and disinfectant can be supplied through an air connection line, wherein an air filter can be provided for cleaning compressed compressed air. However, even with this milking cluster and milking method, before the teat cup is placed on a teat, it is not prevented that contaminated stall air can penetrate into the milking cluster and thus the raw milk can be contaminated.

In the EP 743 818 B1 A milking cluster is described in which an air intake line can be routed upwards through a pulsation chamber in the cup bottom or from the cup bottom, through which air guided through a carbon filter can be guided into the teat cup to reduce the penetration of contaminated stall air. As a rule, there is a negative pressure in the teat cup, which can be reduced to up to 5 kPa in the upper area, so that leakage air flow in the barn air is reduced, but cannot be completely prevented. The flow volume of the filtered air is smaller than the amount of air discharged through a milk suction vacuum, so that stall air can continue to penetrate into the teat cup. The air line through the pulsation chamber penetrates the teat rubber and can lead to pressure points on the udder or a teat of the animal to be milked. In addition, the inner diameter of the teat cup is reduced by the air duct inside the cup. In addition, teat cups must be structurally provided for such an air supply line leading from the cup base upwards, retrofitting of conventional milking equipment is not possible. Therefore, even with the milking crockery previously known in this publication, it is possible for a leakage air stream to flow in, and only a small amount of bacteria or organic contaminants can lead to the entire raw milk in a milk collecting container being contaminated and its shelf life being significantly reduced. Furthermore, the interior of the teat cup is reduced and the milking comfort for an animal to be milked is reduced. It is not possible to retrofit previously known teat cups.

Products, especially cheese, are increasingly being made from untreated raw milk, and organic milk without artificial preservatives or processing steps to extend the shelf life is of great interest to end consumers. A natural improvement in shelf life through contamination protection of milk enables farmers to switch to self-marketing and thus achieve higher milk prices in order to generate higher yields in the long term. Complicated and energy-intensive post-processing steps can be omitted.

EP 2 625 953 A1 and EP 1 795 069 A2 disclose a milking installation, a mouth section of a sterile air pressure line being arranged in the head region of the teat rubber.

It is an object of the invention to propose a milking installation and a milking process which achieves an increased improvement in the shelf life of raw milk without complex post-processing steps and thus provides a high-quality, natural food product, the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art being overcome.

This object is achieved by a milking installation and a milking method according to independent claims 1 and 14. Advantageous developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

A milking cluster is proposed which comprises at least one, in particular two or four, teat cups, each teat cup having a cup housing and a teat rubber accommodated in the cup housing with a head region and a suction region. A connection for a milk hose is arranged on the bottom of the cup or at the end of the suction area of the teat rubber. A connection for a pulsator line is preferably arranged on a wall or base section of the cup housing in order to stimulate a milking process.

It is proposed that a mouth section in the head region of the teat cup liner a sterile air pressure line is arranged, through which sterile air can be introduced with a volume flow greater than a fluid suction volume flow at the milk hose, so that a sterile air overlay is established in the head region of the teat rubber.

In other words, a milk tableware is proposed, wherein each teat cup of the milk tableware has a teat rubber, and a sterile air pressure line ends in a mouth section at the head region of the teat rubber. Through the sterile air pressure line, sterile air, i.e. H. air with a high degree of purity, in which dust particles and biological contaminants, in particular bacteria and viruses, are filtered out, with an underpressure in relation to the atmospheric air and in relation to an in-use pressure in the teat cup in the head region of the teatcup liner, so that it is prevented from being injected Stall air can get inside the teat cup. It is advantageous that the sterile air pressure line leads from the outside to the teat cup and ends in the head area of the teat cup liner, so that, for example, existing teat cups can be retrofitted with teat cups, and existing milk dishes can be converted at low cost. No structural changes take place inside the teat cup, so that the teat can be picked up undisturbed inside the cup and milked by the pulsation.

It is essential to the invention that a suction fluid volume flow that prevails for suctioning milked milk from the milk hose is smaller than a supplied volume flow of sterile air that is introduced via the head region of the teat rubber. Thus, the inside of the teat cup is constantly filled with an overpressure of sterile air, so that no contamination can enter through the stable air, this is called sterile air overlay. Since the sterile air is introduced into the head area of the teatcup liner, the suction area of the teatcup liner is sealed from the head area by the teat when the teat is inserted into the milk cup. The sterile air continues to be blown into the head area during the milking process or forms a slight one there Overpressure or escapes through suitable measures, while a negative pressure prevails in the base section of the cup housing in order to be able to discharge drained milk to a milk collecting container. During the entire milking process, the milk does not come into contact with the air in the barn, but only with sterile air, with the milk flowing from the udder remaining biologically untreated and hygienically germ-free.

With the milking equipment, a practically germ-free raw milk is obtained, which has an increased shelf life and can therefore be stored for a significantly longer time without further treatment. This enables cheese, kefir or other milk products and raw milk to be stored for a longer period of time, for example, and the overall processing can be carried out with less energy and with fewer work steps, for example longer maturing processes can be achieved and a natural and untreated natural product can be provided.

As a rule, there is an underpressure of about 25 kPa in the lower area of a teat cup compared to the atmospheric air pressure of usually 1,013 hPa. If the teat is accommodated in the teat cup, an underpressure of about 40 kPa to 80 kPa can develop in the lower area , A vacuum of generally 10 kPa to 30 kPa is present on the top teat cup without sterile air overlay. A volume flow of sterile air is to be introduced into the head area of the teat cup, which reaches an overpressure of at least 20 kPa to 40 kPa, up to 60 kPa, in order to ensure a sterile air overlay.

A sterile air overlay in this case means that there is an overpressure of sterile air in the opening area of the teat cup, so that contaminated stall air cannot penetrate into the interior of the teat cup. This ensures that when the milking cluster is removed and when the milking cluster is put on, no contaminating germs or dust particles can get into the teat cup in order to contaminate the raw milk.

In an advantageous development of the milking cluster, an annular teat receiving area with a teat receiving opening as an annular space can be formed in the head area of the teat rubber, and the mouth section can be arranged on a wall area of the annular space. An annular space means that in the head area of the teat rubber, even when the teat is picked up, an air-flowed, annular volume around the picked up teat, in which the sterile air overpressure prevails, and prevents the penetration of foreign matter. The teat receiving area furthermore makes it easier to pick up the teat, since the ring-shaped configuration defines a receiving lip of the teat of the teat rubber, in which the teat can be easily picked up and guided comfortably. In the annulus, the overpressure can be adjusted through the sterile air pressure line, the mouth section being able to be blown into the annulus either at a single point or at several locations distributed uniformly around the circumference of the annulus.

In an advantageous development, the suction area of the teatcup liner can be conical, at least in some areas, starting from the head area and tapering in the direction of the milk hose connection. Because the suction area of the teat rubber is tapered and tapered in the direction of the milk hose connection, the milk hose connection section of the suction area is separated from the upper head area in an airtight manner when a teat is inserted. As a result, there can still be an overpressure of sterile air in the upper head area, while in the lower suction area a negative pressure generated in the milk hose can be set by a milk feed pump in order to guide milk into a milk collecting container. Due to the conical shape of the teat rubber, a separation between the sterile air overpressure area and the milking underpressure area in the teat cup is thus formed when the teat is inserted, so that an increased delivery rate with a simultaneous hermetic sterile air overlay can be achieved.

In an advantageous development, the mouth section of the teat rubber can comprise a nozzle for directing sterile air in the direction of a teat receiving opening. The nozzle can be designed in such a way that it directs the sterile air flow that flows into the head end of the teatcup liner in the direction of the teat receiving opening of the teat cup liner and forms a fan shape in such a way that a complete sterile air overlay of the teat receiving opening can be achieved. This can effectively prevent contamination from entering the teat cup.

It is advantageously proposed that the sterile air pressure line be guided and fastened on an outer wall section of the cup housing or integrated in the outer wall section. When the teat cup is placed on a teat, simplified handling of the milking cluster can be achieved by attaching the sterile air pressure line to the outer wall section of the cup housing. This ensures that the sterile air pressure line is routed parallel to the milk hose or pulsator line and thus a simplified milking process can be achieved. The lines of the teat cup thus lead away from the cup base to the milk collection device of the milking cluster. The sterile air pressure line can be glued, clamped, screwed or fastened to the outer wall portion of the teat cup, and can advantageously be fastened with the milk hose or a pulsator line in the lower cup bottom area, so that the milking cluster is easy to handle. This can simplify the speed when moving the milking cluster, when inserting the teats and when removing the milking cluster.

A sterile air distribution unit with a sterile air central pressure line connection can advantageously be arranged on a milk collecting device of the milking cluster, from which a sterile air pressure line branches off to each teat cup. A milking cluster usually comprises a milk collecting device, to which the individual milk hoses of the teat cup branch off, and in which, for example, a distributor unit for the pulsator lines is also provided. It is advantageously proposed that a sterile air distribution unit can be arranged on the milk collecting device, in which a sterile air central pressure line connection opens, with which sterile air can be introduced at high pressure. From there, the sterile air distribution units branch to the individual teat cups, in which case the pressure can advantageously be regulated in the sterile air central pressure line connection, in particular a differential pressure control can be provided between the central milk hose connection and sterile air pressure distribution in order to ensure reliable sterile air superimposition in the mouth area of the teat cups can. This means that the milk hose and sterile air pressure line can be routed parallel to each teat cup.

In a subordinate aspect, a teat rubber is proposed for use in the aforementioned milk dishes, which has a head area and a suction area. A mouth section for a sterile air pressure line is arranged on the head area of the teat rubber, the head area preferably having an annular teat receiving area as an annular space, on the wall of which the mouth section is arranged. Furthermore, the suction area is preferably tapered at least in sections, starting from the head area, towards the milk hose connection. Thus, a teat rubber is proposed to match the milking equipment mentioned above, which can be removed into a teat cup of the milk equipment. A mouth section for a sterile air pressure line is provided in a head region of the teat rubber, through which sterile air can be introduced with a volume flow that is higher than the volume flow that is sucked out through the milk connection line. This creates an overpressure of sterile air in the teat cup so that contaminated stall air cannot penetrate. The teatcup liner can be used in particular to retrofit existing milking equipment, only a sterile air compressed air line has to be brought to the teat cups and be connected in the head area of the teatcup liners. In this way, existing milking equipment can be retrofitted in an inventive manner, or if a teat rubber is defective, it can be replaced.

In an advantageous development, the teat rubber in the wall section of the annular space can have a pressure relief valve or the teat receiving opening can have a surrounding wall portion of the annular space which has such elasticity that a pressure relief valve function can be provided when the teat is inserted. Alternatively or additionally, a radius of the teat receiving opening of the teat rubber can be made larger than an average teat radius of an animal to be milked. When a teat is inserted into the teat cup liner, the teat usually closes the head area from the suction area of the milk in the teat cup, so that there is a vacuum in the lower area, through which the milked milk can be suctioned and in the upper head area there is overpressure due to the sterile air introduction. In order to improve the wearing comfort for the livestock in particular and to prevent the teat cup from being unintentionally detached from the teat, a pressure valve can be provided which can discharge any excess pressure of sterile air in the head area. Furthermore or alternatively, the wall section which borders the teat receiving opening can be made of a material of higher elasticity, so that when excess pressure arises, sterile air can escape via the flexibility of the border area. Ultimately, the receiving area of the teat receiving opening can also have a radius that is larger than an average teat radius of the livestock, so that sterile air can escape in the transition area between the udder and the teat during the milking process and thus prevent the ingress of stable air, and no unpleasant excess pressure in the head area of the teat cup is built up. This increases the comfort and handling of the milking cluster and prevents the teat cup from falling off unintentionally during the milking process.

In a further secondary aspect, a milking installation is proposed which comprises at least one milking cluster according to one of the preceding exemplary embodiments. At least one sterile air central pressure line is at least included with a sterile air filter system, through which each sterile air pressure line of the milking cluster is supplied with sterile air centrally, one Sterile air volume flow in each sterile air pressure line is adjustable, which is higher than a fluid suction volume flow in each milk hose, so that a sterile air overlay is set in each teat cup of the milking cluster. The milking installation can comprise a single milking cluster or a plurality of milking cluster in neighboring milking parlors, whereby a central sterile air filter system, or for each individual milking cluster or a group of milking cluster, a single milking air filter system is assigned, through which sterile air into a pressure line to the head area of the Teat cup is guided to prevent air from entering the stall into the teat cup. It is essential that the volume flow of the sterile air, which is led through the sterile air pressure line into the head area of the teat cup, is higher than a fluid suction volume flow of a milk hose that removes the milk from the teat cup, so that in a changeover period in which no milking takes place, a sterile air overlay is set in the teat cup so that no contaminants can penetrate.

Generic milking systems have a central milk line and a central pulsator line, through which milk of the teat cup is discharged, and through which a vacuum for massage of the teats can be produced. Such a milking installation can be expanded by a sterile air central pressure line in order to be able to provide the sterile air superimposition.

It is conceivable that a differential pressure device is provided which can monitor a differential pressure between the milk central line and sterile air central pressure line or between the milk hose central connection and sterile air central pressure line connection of each milking cluster in order to supply sterile air to the sterile air central pressure line or to the sterile air central pressure line connection regulate that a continuous sterile air overlay remains guaranteed.

The sterile air filter system can advantageously comprise an EPA / HEPA or a UPA filter unit with a filter class H13, preferably H14 or Class 100 or higher, the sterile filter system preferably having a controllable one Includes sterile air compressor unit. HEPA filters which are particularly well suited for carrying out the invention are so-called HEPA filters (highefficiency particulate arrestance filters) or so-called ULPA filters (ultra low penetration air filters). Filters of these classes are used to filter viruses, respirable dusts, mite eggs or excretions, pollen, smoke particles, asbestos, bacteria, various toxic dusts or aerosols from the air. These filters are usually used in medical technology, and can be used according to the invention in a suitable manner for producing the sterile air, ambient air being pushed through the filters by means of fans or compression devices, and the suspended matter and impurities contained therein can be filtered out. Filters of filter class H13 or higher achieve a degree of separation of 99.95% for the entire air flow, with a local separation rate of at least 99.75% of particles from 0.1 µm to 0.3 µm being achievable. According to the VDMA standard sheet "Compressed air quality (list of recommended unit classes according to ISO 8573-1) VDMA 15390 from March 2004, filters are used for the production of sterile air for a sterile air overlay, which filters out solid impurities in the range from 1 µm to 5 µm completely and impurities <1 µm can pass only in the range of 1-100 ppm .. Such filters ensure the sterility of the sterile air overlay is required to be sterile, so that raw milk has an extremely long lifespan without additional treatment steps.

A sterile air atmosphere is advantageously used in the subsequent raw milk processing process, so that sterility remains guaranteed. In addition, it is advantageous that no unfiltered air is connected to the raw milk in the entire milking installation. The pressure in the sterile air central line can be set by means of a controllable sterile air compressor unit, and in particular in relation to the volume flow of the fluid suction milk hose can be set in such a way that the sterile air superimposition remains guaranteed in the entire work process. In this respect, the sterile air overlay can be guaranteed practically continuously without interruption in the extraction, transport and processing process.

The sterile air volume flow can advantageously be set such that an atmospheric excess pressure of the sterile air of at least 5 kPa, in particular at least 10 kPa, is established in the annulus of the teat cup to produce the sterile air superimposition. An excess pressure of at least 5 kPa, in particular 10 kPa or higher, in the opening area of the teat cup effectively prevents germs from the stall air from penetrating in order to shorten the shelf life of the raw milk.

The milking installation advantageously comprises a central milk collecting line to which the milk hose of each milking cluster is connected. The central collecting line collects the milked raw milk from each milking cluster and leads it to a collecting container or a transport device for further processing. The central collecting line can advantageously be passed through a continuous milk cooling device, the raw milk being cooled to <5 ° C. This ensures that even small amounts of biological contaminants can no longer spread in the raw milk, so the shelf life of the raw milk can be further extended. As a continuous milk cooling device, a heat exchanger, which uses ice water as a cold reservoir, or a conventional compression continuous cooler is suitable.

In an advantageous development of the milking installation, it is proposed that a milk collecting container is included, the air compensation opening of which is connected to a sterile air filter installation or the sterile air pressure line of the milking installation. For cleaning purposes, but also to create a low-temperature atmosphere, a milk collecting container must have a pressure equalization with ambient air, through which air flows in, for example when the milk collecting container cools down, or air can escape when it is heated, especially when the milk collecting container is hot-cleaned. This air pressure compensation opening is advantageously connected to a sterile air filter system, so that only sterile air can flow into the milk collecting container. There are no further openings to the atmospheric air, so that it is ensured that no contaminated air is in contact with the raw milk can be brought. A milk cooling device, which cools the raw milk to <5 ° C., can preferably be included in the milk collecting container, so that a faster cooling chain and an extended shelf life can be achieved. The raw milk can be cooled by direct evaporation of coolant or ice water, or by blowing in cooled sterile air, the raw milk can be cooled to low temperatures.

Going further and likewise advantageously, the milking installation comprises a milk transport device, in particular a milk transport truck, truck or further containers and transport kettle, the air pressure compensation openings of which are also connected to a sterile air filter system. This ensures that from the production of milk on the teat of a farm animal to its final processing, for example as yoghurt, raw milk cheese, curd cheese, kefir or other dairy products, the food product only comes into contact in a sterile air atmosphere, so that no undesirable impurities or biological growth occur Germination can take place in the raw milk environment. This ensures that the raw milk has an extremely long shelf life without any additional measures to extend its shelf life, so that e.g. thermal treatment or ultra-high heat, radiation by light or the addition of germicides can be dispensed with. A milk cooling device can preferably be included in a milk transport device, which cools the raw milk to <5 ° C., so that a faster cooling chain and an extended shelf life can be achieved. The raw milk can be cooled by direct evaporation of coolant or ice water, or by blowing in cooled sterile air, the raw milk can be cooled to low temperatures.

In the milk collecting container and in the milk transport device, environments for outside air are provided for ventilation. In order to avoid contamination of the inside of the tank, the amount of air that is blown into the tank of the milk collecting container or the milk transport device by the sterile air filter system is greater than an amount of air that is caused by loading or Vents can penetrate. Blowing sterile air with increased atmospheric pressure into the collection or transport tank prevents contaminated ambient air from entering the tank from the outside.

• bei Beendigung eines Melkvorgangs Abschalten des Fluidabsaug-Volumenstroms und des Pulsations-Volumenstroms, so dass ein Zitzenbecher von einer Zitze abfällt;
• Wiedereinschalten zumindest des Fluidabsaug-Volumenstroms (Vm);
• Einführung einer zu melkenden Zitze und Beginn eines weiteren Melkvorgangs oder Aussetzen des Melkvorgangs.

In a final aspect, a method for using and cleaning-in-place cleaning (CIP cleaning) of a milking cluster according to one of the preceding claims is proposed, which comprises the following steps:

• at the end of a milking process, switching off the fluid suction volume flow and the pulsation volume flow so that a teat cup falls off a teat;
• Restarting at least the fluid suction volume flow (Vm);
• Introduction of a teat to be milked and start of another milking process or suspension of the milking process.

The method according to the invention is characterized in that a sterile air volume flow (Vs) greater than a fluid suction volume flow (Vm) is continuously supplied at the head region of the teat cup, so that a sterile air overlay is established at the teat receiving opening, which prevents ambient air from flowing into the teat cup , Thus, a use method and a cleaning method are proposed in which sterile air flows through the teat cups of the milking parlor even outside of the milking process, so that no contamination can get into the raw milk system from outside, and the milk is therefore processed directly from the udder without contact with atmospheric air can. As a result, an extremely long shelf life is achieved without additional durability treatment measures.

In an advantageous further development it is proposed as an intermediate step that after the milking process has ended the teat receiving opening is closed by a fluid-tight plug for cleaning purposes. The closure of the teat receiving opening on the one hand mechanically prevents contaminating substances from penetrating into the teat cup, and on the other hand the teat cup is flushed with sterile air by building up pressure on sterile air, so that possible contaminants can be sucked off. This results in an improved CIP cleaning, so that the use of chemical cleaning agents can be dispensed with. This reduces cleaning costs and downtimes during the milking process.

DRAWINGS

Further advantages result from the present description of the drawing. Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings. The drawing, the description and the claims contain numerous features in combination. The person skilled in the art will expediently also consider the features individually and combine them into useful further combinations.

Fig. 1

perspektivische Darstellung eines Melkgeschirrs;

Fig. 2

in einer Schnittdarstellung eine Ausführungsform eines Zitzenbechers in einem melkbereiten Zustand;

Fig. 3

die Darstellung des Zitzenbechers nach Fig. 2 in einem Melkzustand;

Fig. 4

weitere Ausführungsformen eines Zitzengummis und eines Zitzenbechers;

Fig. 5

die Darstellung eines Verwendungsverfahrens und CIP-Reinigung gemäß der Erfindung;

Fig. 6

die Darstellung einer Ausführungsform einer Melkanlage gemäß der Erfindung;

Fig. 7

die Darstellung einer weiteren Ausführungsform einer Melkanlage nach der Erfindung;

Fig. 8

perspektivische Darstellung einer Sterilluft-Filteranlage zum Einsatz in der Erfindung;

Fig. 9

perspektivische Darstellung und Blockschaltdiagramm einer Sterilluft-Filteranlage für den Einsatz gemäß der Erfindung.

Show it:

Fig. 1

perspective view of a milking cluster;

Fig. 2

a sectional view of an embodiment of a teat cup in a milk-ready state;

Fig. 3

the representation of the teat cup Fig. 2 in a milking condition;

Fig. 4

further embodiments of a teat cup liner and a teat cup;

Fig. 5

the representation of a method of use and CIP cleaning according to the invention;

Fig. 6

the representation of an embodiment of a milking installation according to the invention;

Fig. 7

the representation of a further embodiment of a milking installation according to the invention;

Fig. 8

perspective view of a sterile air filter system for use in the invention;

Fig. 9

perspective view and block diagram of a sterile air filter system for use according to the invention.

In the figures, elements of the same type are numbered with the same reference numerals. The figures only show examples and are not to be understood as limiting. Individual features of the invention can also be combined with one another in order to represent further exemplary embodiments.

In the Fig. 1 a first embodiment of a milking cluster 10 is shown in perspective. The milking cluster 10 comprises four teat cups 12 with a cup housing 14 made of stainless steel and an inserted teat rubber 16. A milk hose 24 is arranged on the cup base 22 of each teat cup 12 and leads to a milk collecting device 46. The four milk hoses 24 of the four teat cups 12 combine in the milk collecting device 46, and collected milk can be discharged via a milk hose central connection 80 to a milk collecting container (not shown). Furthermore, a pulsator connection 28 is arranged on the cup base 22, at which a pulsator line 30 opens into the cup housing 14. A pulsating vacuum can be generated in the cavity between the teat rubber 16 and the cup housing 14, as a result of which an inserted teat of an animal to be milked can be stimulated to dispense milk. The pulsator line 30 is also led to the milk collecting device 46, with a Central pulsator connection 82 is arranged to a central pulsator line in order to lead a pulsation vacuum to the teat cup. Each teat cup 12 has a sterile air pressure line 34 which is guided in a mouth section 32 of the teat rubber 16 into the head region of the teat cup 12. The sterile air pressure line 34 of each teat cup 12 is led to a sterile air distribution unit 42 which is arranged on the milk collecting device 46. A sterile air central pressure line connection 44 leads to the sterile air distribution unit 42 and leads to a central sterile air pressure line, via which sterile air can be led into the head region of each teat cup 12. The fluid flow of sterile air through each sterile air pressure line 34 exceeds the fluid flow on the milk hose 24, so that there is sterile air overpressure inside the teat cup both in the milking state and in the periods therebetween, so that there is a sterile air overlay that prevents contamination by atmospheric air in the inside of the teat cup 12 can penetrate. In this way, milked milk can be removed from the udder of a farm animal and processed further without coming into contact with atmospheric air.

In the Fig. 2 a sectional view of a teat cup 12 according to an embodiment is shown. The teat cup 12 comprises a cup housing 14 made of stainless steel with a cup bottom 22. A teat rubber 16 is inserted into the cup housing 14, which surrounds the upper open edge of the cup housing 14 and forms a head region 18. A suction area 20 of the teat rubber is tapered conically in the direction of the milk hose connection 26, so that an udder penetrating into the teat receiving area 36 hermetically seals the head area 18 from the suction area 20. In the head region 18 there is a mouth section 32 of a sterile air pressure line 34, through which sterile air is introduced into an annular space 38. The upper teat receiving opening 48 has a radius that is greater than the average radius of a teat that can be inserted into the teat receiving area 36. The volume flow of the sterile air through the sterile air pressure line 34 is higher than the fluid flow that is discharged through the milk hose connection 26, so that there is a sterile air overlay 84, which prevents air from flowing into the annular space 38 from the outside.

The Fig. 3 shows that in Fig. 2 The illustrated embodiment of a teat cup 12 with an inserted teat 88 of an udder 86. Due to the conical tapering of the suction area 20, the teat 88 separates the head area 18 with the annular space 38 from the suction area 20, into which milk is discharged through the milk hose connection 26. By generating a negative pressure by means of the pulsator line 30 in the cavity between the cup housing 14 and the suction area 20 of the teat rubber 16, the teat 88 is stimulated to release milk. The milked milk is carried away through the milk hose connection 26 by means of a fluid flow. A resulting sterile air overpressure in the annular space 38 is discharged through the opening between the teat 88 and the teat receiving opening 56 and serves on the one hand to cool the udder 86 and on the other hand it prevents the penetration of stable air.

In the Fig. 4a is shown in a sectional view of a teat rubber 16 of an embodiment. The teat rubber 16 is divided into a suction area 20, in which the teat receiving area 36 is defined, and a head area 18, in which an annular space 38 is provided. In a wall area 52 of the annular space 38 there is an orifice section 32 of a sterile air pressure line 34, through which sterile air is blown into the annular space 38. For this purpose, a compressed air nozzle 40 is provided on the mouth section 32, which directs the sterile air flow in the direction of the teat receiving opening 48 in order to prevent the ingress of stall air. The wall section 56 delimiting the teat receiving opening 48 is formed from a material which is elastic, so that a teat can be inserted easily, and a resulting overpressure of sterile air can escape in the remaining space between the teat and the wall section 56. The teat rubber 18 has an everting area 90 which can slip over an upper edge of a cup housing 14.

In the Fig. 4b is an inserted teat rubber 16 after the Fig. 4a shown.

Deviating from Fig. 4a an overpressure valve 58 is arranged in the wall area 52 of the annular space 38, which can dissipate any excess pressure of sterile air to prevent excessive pressure during the milking process and thus prevent the teat cup 12 from coming off unintentionally. The sterile air pressure line 34 can be attached to an outer wall section 54 of the cup housing 14, for example glued, clamped with clamping means or arranged with fastening means such as overlays, in order to enable easy handling of the milking cluster.

In the Figs. 5a to 5d A process sequence for milking and cleaning-in-place cleaning of a teat cup 12 is shown. The structure of the teat cup 12 corresponds to that in FIGS Fig. 2 and 3 shown embodiments. In the first step, neither a suction fluid flow is applied to the milk hose connection 26, nor a vacuum on the pulsator line 30. Only a sterile air supply is set in the sterile air pressure line 34, which is present continuously in all steps of the milking process and cleaning process. In this state, sterile air emerges via the teat receiving opening 56 and forms a sterile air overlay 84, and sterile air also flows in the direction of the milk hose connection 26. To flush the teat cup 12 with sterile air, a sealing plug 50 can be brought onto the teat receiving opening 56 so that sterile air only flows through the teat rubber 16 and the teat receiving area 36 and sterile air is blown into the system via the milk hose connection 26. If a milk pump is activated, a fluid flow flows over the milk hose connection 26, and at the same time a pulsating vacuum can also be applied to the pulsator line 30 in order to trigger a milking process, while sterile air continues to be introduced via the sterile air pressure line 34. A teat 88 of an udder 86 is then inserted into the teat receiving area 36 and a milking process can begin. To remove the teat cup 12, the fluid flow at the milk hose connection 26 is interrupted, and the generated pressure of the sterile air supply automatically removes the teat cup 12 from the teat 88. The resulting excess pressure of sterile air overflows a remaining gap past the teat towards udder 86 and cools the udder and prevents the ingress of pollutants from the stable air.

In the Fig. 6 an embodiment of a milking installation 60 is shown schematically, which is used for milking cows 92 in parallel. The milking installation 60 comprises a milk central collecting line 94 and a sterile air central pressure line 62. Sterile air central pressure line connections 44 of milking equipment 10 are connected to the sterile air central pressure line 62. Milked milk through the milking parlors 10 is transported to the central milk collecting line 94 via a central milk hose connection 80. The milk in the milk central collecting line 94 is fed via a milk pumping device 98 to a milk collecting container 70 which, as a rule, collects the milk in a deep-frozen state at approximately 2 ° C. to 5 ° C. For this purpose, the milk central collecting line 94 can be passed through a continuous milk cooling device 78, which can work according to a heat exchanger principle, in order to cool the raw milk to a temperature below 5 ° C. in the milk central collecting line 94. The sterile air central pressure line 62 is supplied with sterile air via a sterile air filter system 64, the volume flow of the sterile air being higher than the fluid flow which is discharged from the milk pump device 98 via the milk central collecting line 94. This creates a sterile air overlay in each teat cup 12 of each milking cluster 10, so that no stall air can penetrate before the start of milking and during the milking process. The milk collection container 70 has an air pressure compensation opening 72, to which a separate sterile air filter system 64 is connected, in order to be able to provide pressure compensation by means of sterile air exchange during an air pressure compensation, for example when filling the milk collection container 70, when the milk collection container 70 is being frozen or during a cleaning process. The sterile air filter system 64, which are connected to the milk collecting container 70 and to the milk transport device 74, are combined with a milk cooling device 124 in order to inject sterile air with a temperature <5 ° C. Alternatively, the milk cooling device 124 can directly evaporate coolant or cool the raw milk by means of a heat exchanger. On the milk container 70, a milk transport device 74 in the form of a milk tank truck is connected via a connecting line. With the milk transport device 74, the raw milk can be brought out of the milk collecting container 70 for further processing in a dairy. The milk transport device 74 essentially also comprises a milk collecting container 70 which has one or more air pressure compensation openings 76. The air pressure equalization openings 76 are also connected to the outside world via a sterile air filter system 64 of the milk transport device 74 for pressure equalization, so that, for example after the completion of a hot cleaning process or when cooling, air can only be filtered into the milk container from the atmosphere as sterile air. With one in the Fig. 6 Milking system shown it is possible to milk and transport raw milk without contamination with stable air or with ambient air, so that raw milk has an extremely long shelf life and can achieve a long storage time and high quality of the end product without further processing steps.

In the Fig. 7 An alternative embodiment of a milking installation 60 is shown. This is based on the description of the Fig. 6 depicted elements, and only differences discussed. In contrast to that in the Fig. 6 Milking system shown includes the in Fig. 7 shown a further central pulsation line 96. Milked raw milk is transported from the milk tableware 10 via a central milk hose connection 80 to the central milk collecting line 94. Sterile air for producing a sterile air overlay is fed from a sterile air central pressure line 62 to the milking cluster 10 via a sterile air central pressure line connection 44. A pulsating vacuum or low pressure, which is essential for the milking process, is conducted to the teat cup of each milking cluster 10 via the central pulsation line 96 and a central pulsator line connection 82. A vacuum pump 102, which is followed by a vacuum tank 104, is used to produce the pulsation vacuum. A pulsation vacuum is produced via a pulsation control 100 in accordance with a milking stimulation, by means of which each teat cup of the milking harness causes a milking movement on the udder of an animal to be milked can provide. To produce the sterile air superimposition, a sterile air filter system 64 is connected upstream of a sterile air compression tank 106. Sterile air is provided in compressed form in the sterile air compression tank 106, so that a large number of milking equipment can be connected to the sterile air central pressure line 62. A sterile air pressure controller 108 provides a sufficiently high volume flow and pressure in the sterile air central pressure line 62 so that sterile air superimposition can be achieved on each milking cluster. Milk from the milk central collecting line 94 is passed on to a milk collecting container 70 via a milk pump device 98. Air pressure compensation in the milk collecting container 70 can be accomplished via an air pressure compensation opening 72 and a further sterile air filter system 64. Finally, the raw milk can be discharged to a dairy via a milk transport device 74, which in each case also has a sterile air atmosphere in the milk tank. Through the entire processing process in the proposed milking plant, contaminated air, pathogens, microbes or dust particles cannot penetrate into the raw milk at any point, so that an extremely high quality and long lifespan of untreated raw milk can be achieved. The sterile air filter systems 64 connected to the milk collecting container 70 and to the milk transport device 74 can be combined with a milk cooling device 124 in order to blow cooled sterile air into the storage tanks. Alternatively, the raw milk can be cooled to a temperature of <5 ° C using a heat exchanger or other means to further increase the shelf life of the raw milk.

In the Fig. 8 an embodiment of a sterile air filter system 64 is shown in perspective, which is designed as a sterile air compression filter system 110. The sterile air compression filter system 110 has an ambient air inlet area 112 with a labyrinth channel, which can only be flowed with air from below, protected from environmental influences and rain, and a sterile air outlet area 114 arranged on the opposite side, in which filtered sterile air is output. The filter system 110 is cylindrical and has an electrical sterile air pressure control on an outer wall section 108, in which control elements and display elements for displaying the operating state and, for example, an upcoming filter change, the current pressure etc. are arranged.

In the Fig. 9a is the interior structure of the in Fig. 8 sterile air compression filter system 110 shown, and Fig. 9b schematically shows the air flow and the electrical components of the sterile air compression filter system 110 as a block circuit diagram. Ambient air is led via a labyrinth channel into an ambient air inlet area 112 and pre-filtered via a pre-filter unit 116. The pre-filter unit can filter air at a flow rate of around 0.35 m / s and filters coarse material from the air. A filter blower 118 is then arranged, which generates an air pressure and is used to produce a desired fluid flow of sterile air. The filter blower 118 is speed-controllable and can have a nominal power between 100 W to 500 W, preferably 200 W, and provide an air throughput of up to 500 m ³ / h. A differential pressure gauge 120 is arranged at the outlet of the filter fan 118 and can measure a pressure difference of the fine filter unit 66. The sterile filter unit 66 is a class 100 filter which does not allow more than 100 particles of 0.5 µm in size per m ^{3 of} air to pass and which has a solids separation rate of 99.997%. It is preferably designed as a HEPA filter or as a ULPA filter of class H14 or higher. It has an active filter area of at least 5 m ² , the differential pressure gauge 120 measuring the pressure loss across the filter 66, and thus indicating a degree of contamination or indicating a defect or a proper function of the filter system. Finally, a further pressure manometer 122 is arranged on the sterile air outlet area 114, which can determine the sterile air pressure within the sterile air central pressure line 62 in order to be able to monitor a sufficient sterile air overlay.

It is conceivable that a milk cooling device 124 in the sense of a heat exchanger or according to the principle of a compression air conditioning system is provided in the sterile air compression filter system 10 in order to supply sterile air with a temperature <5 ° C. By blowing cooled sterile air into the milking cluster 10, but also into a milk collecting container 70 and / or milk transport device 74, it can be ensured that the raw milk can be cooled and thus further processed with an extended shelf life.

The sterile air superimposition of the raw milk according to the invention enables an up to 10% higher yield with yoghurt and cottage cheese to be achieved with a considerable improvement in quality and an extension in shelf life. When collecting containers are wet cleaned, the inside of the container is usually cleaned with alkalis or acids at over 70 ° C and then rinsed with cold water.This results in a considerable exchange of air due to the temperature fluctuations, whereby sterile air leads to the ingress of pathogens and pollutants into the Area associated with raw milk can be prevented. In this way, the purity and consistency of the raw milk are preserved and there is no need to introduce artificial substances or treatment steps to extend the shelf life. In the application according to the invention, the sterile air filter system should be able to generate an air throughput of at least 500 m ² / h of sterile air.

The invention can also be used in the further processing from the raw milk obtained into finished products, such as cottage cheese, cream cheese, fresh curd, semolina curd, semolina cheese, etc., in that at each processing stage in which an exchange with the atmospheric air is necessary, Sterile air is used instead of atmospheric air at excess pressure, so that a leakage flow is prevented and contaminated air does not penetrate the machining process from the outside.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

Milking equipment

12

teat cup

14

can housing

16

liner

18

head area

20

suction area

22

cup base

24

milk hose

26

Milk hose connection

28

Pulsator port

30

pulsator

32

Mouth section of the sterile air pressure line

34

Sterile air pressure line

36

Teat receiving area

38

annulus

40

Compressed air nozzle

42

Sterile air distribution unit

44

Sterile air central pressure pipe connection

46

Milk collection device

48

Teat receiving aperture

50

sealing plug

52

Annulus wall area

54

Cup housing outer wall section

56

Wall section surrounding the teat intake opening

58

Pressure relief valve

60

milking machine

62

Sterile air central pressure line

64

Sterile air filter system

66

filter unit

68

Sterile air compressor unit

70

milk collection

72

Air vent hole

74

Milk transport device

76

Air vent hole

78

Pass milk cooler

80

Milk hose central connector

82

Pulsator central connector

84

Sterile air overlay

86

udder

88

teat

90

Teat liner

92

cow

94

Milk central manifold

96

Pulsationszentralleitung

98

Milk pump device

100

pulsation

102

vacuum pump

104

vacuum tank

106

Sterile air compression tank

108

Sterile air pressure control

110

Sterile air compression filter system

112

Ambient air intake area

114

Sterile air outlet

116

prefilter

118

filter fan

120

Differential pressure gauge

122

pressure gauge

124

Milk cooler

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

Milking equipment

12

teat cup

14

can housing

16

liner

18

head area

20

suction area

22

cup base

24

milk hose

26

Milk hose connection

28

Pulsator port

30

pulsator

32

Mouth section of the sterile air pressure line

34

Sterile air pressure line

36

Teat receiving area

38

annulus

40

Compressed air nozzle

42

Sterile air distribution unit

44

Sterile air central pressure pipe connection

46

Milk collection device

48

Teat receiving aperture

50

sealing plug

52

Annulus wall area

54

Cup housing outer wall section

56

Wall section surrounding the teat intake opening

58

Pressure relief valve

60

milking machine

62

Sterile air central pressure line

64

Sterile air filter system

66

filter unit

68

Sterile air compressor unit

70

milk collection

72

Air vent hole

74

Milk transport device

76

Air vent hole

78

Pass milk cooler

80

Milk hose central connector

82

Pulsator central connector

84

Sterile air overlay

86

udder

88

teat

90

Teat liner

92

cow

94

Milk central manifold

96

Pulsationszentralleitung

98

Milk pump device

100

pulsation

102

vacuum pump

104

vacuum tank

106

Sterile air compression tank

108

Sterile air pressure control

110

Sterile air compression filter system

112

Ambient air intake area

114

Sterile air outlet

116

prefilter

118

filter fan

120

Differential pressure gauge

122

pressure gauge

124

Milk cooler

Claims (15)

1. A milking installation (60) comprising at least one milking cluster (10) with at least one, in particular four teat cups (12), wherein each teat cup (12) comprises a cup housing (14) and, accommodated in the cup housing (14), a teat cup liner (16) with a top region (18) and a suction region (20), wherein a connection (26) for a milk tube (24) is arranged at the cup bottom (22) or at the end of the suction region (20) of the teat cup liner (16), and a connection (28) for a pulsator line (30) is preferably arranged on a wall or bottom portion of the cup housing (14), and a mouth portion (32) of a sterile air pressure line (34) is arranged in the top region (18) of the teat cup liner (16), through which pressure line sterile air can be introduced at a volumetric flow rate (Vs) greater than a fluid aspiration volumetric flow rate (Vm) at the milk tube (24), such that a sterile air blanket (84) can be established in the top region (18) of the teat cup liner (16), wobei at least one central sterile air pressure line (62) with at least one sterile air filter installation (64) is included, by which each sterile air pressure line (34) of the milking cluster (10) is centrally supplied with sterile air, such that a sterile air volumetric flow rate (Vs) can be established in each sterile air pressure line (34) which is higher than a fluid aspiration volumetric flow rate (Vm) in each milk tube (24), whereby a sterile air blanket (84) can be established in each teat cup (12).
2. A milking installation (60) according to claim 1, characterised in that the sterile air filter installation (64) comprises an EPA/HEPA or ULPA filter unit (66) with a filter of class H13 or higher and in that the sterile air filter installation (64) preferably comprises a controllable sterile air compressor unit (68).
3. A milking installation (60) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the sterile air volumetric flow rate (Vs) is established such that an atmospheric overpressure of sterile air of at least 5 kPa, in particular of at least 10 kPa, is established in the annular chamber (38) of the teat cup (12) of the milking cluster (10) in order to produce the sterile air blanket (84) .
4. A milking installation (60) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a central milk collection line (94) is included to which the milk tube (24) of each milking cluster (10) is connected and which central milk collection line is guided through a continuous-flow milk chiller (78) which chills the raw milk to <5°C.
5. A milking installation (60) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a milk collection tank (70) is included, the air pressure equalisation opening (72) of which is connected to a sterile air filter installation (64), wherein a milk chiller (124) which chills the raw milk to <5°C is preferably included in the milk collection tank (70).
6. A milking installation (60) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a milk transporter (74) is included, the air pressure equalisation opening (76) of which is connected to a sterile air filter installation (64), wherein a milk chiller (124) which chills the raw milk to <5°C is preferably included in the milk transporter (74).
7. A milking installation (60) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that an annular teat accommodation region (36) with a teat accommodation opening (48) is formed as an annular chamber (38) at the top region (18) of the teat cup liner (16) of the milking cluster (10), and the mouth portion (32) is arranged on a wall region (52) of the annular chamber (38).
8. A milking installation (60) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the suction region (20) of the teat cup liner (16) of the milking cluster (10) tapers conically at least in regions starting from the top region (18) and towards the milk tube connection (26).
9. A milking installation (60) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the mouth portion (32) of the milking cluster (10) comprises a nozzle (40) for oriented sterile air guidance towards a teat accommodation opening (48).
10. A milking installation (60) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the sterile air pressure line (34) of the milking cluster (10) is guided and fastened to an outer wall portion (54) of the cup housing (14) or is integrated in the outer wall portion.
11. A milking installation (60) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a sterile air distributor unit (42) of the milking cluster (10) with a central sterile air pressure line connection (44) is arranged on a claw (46), from which a sterile air pressure line (34) branches off to each teat cup (12).
12. A milking installation (60) according to one of the preceding claims with a teat cup liner (16), the teat cup liner (16) comprising a top region (18) and a suction region (20), characterised in that a mouth portion (32) for a sterile air pressure line (34) is arranged at the top region (18) of the teat cup liner (16) of the milking cluster (10), wherein the top region (18) preferably comprises an annular teat accommodation region (36) as an annular chamber (38), on the wall (52) of which the mouth portion (32) is arranged, and wherein the suction region (20) preferably tapers conically at least in portions starting from the top region (18).
13. A milking installation (60) according to claim 12, characterised in that a pressure relief valve (58) is arranged in a wall portion of the annular chamber (38) or in that a wall portion (56) of the annular chamber (38) surrounding the teat accommodation opening (48) has a resilience such that, when a teat is inserted, a pressure relief valve function is provided, or in that a radius (Rz) of the teat accommodation opening (48) is greater than an average teat radius.
14. A method for use and clean-in-place cleaning of a milking cluster (10) of a milking installation (60) according to one of claims 1 to 11, comprising the steps of:

    - on completion of a milking process, switching off the fluid aspiration volumetric flow (Vm) and the pulsation volumetric flow (Vp), such that a teat cup (12) drops off a teat;

    - switching at least the fluid aspiration volumetric flow (Vm) back on;

    - introducing a teat to be milked and starting a further milking process;

    characterised in that a sterile air volumetric flow rate (Vs) which is greater than a fluid aspiration volumetric flow rate (Vm) is continuously supplied to the top region (18) of the teat cup (12), such that a sterile air blanket (84) is established at the teat accommodation opening (48).
15. A method according to claim 14, characterised by an intermediate step that, once the milking process is complete, the teat accommodation opening (48) of the milking cluster (10) is closed for cleaning purposes by a fluid-tight sealing stopper (50).

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